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Undetected Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Why is B12 off the Radar?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often undetected, despite that fact that it’s one of the leading, fastest growing vitamin deficiencies affecting adults across all age groups. So, why is vitamin B12 deficiency, including pernicious anemia, so often misdiagnosed or completely ignored?

Undetected Vitamin B12 deficiency

An estimated 40% of people between the ages of 26 and 83 have mild vitamin B12 deficiency, but most will never get diagnosed- not until their vitamin B12 levels dip to a dangerous low, causing severe neurological, physical, and emotional problems.

Why are doctors missing this?

Although scientists have known about the risks of getting pernicious anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency for almost 100 years, many doctors neglect to include vitamin B12 blood testing as part of your routine checkup. This is one reason that vitamin B12 deficiency often goes undetected or misdiagnosed as other similar ailments like hypothyroid or diabetic neuropathy.

Another possible explanation for undetected vitamin B12 deficiency comes from a disagreement over what constitutes low vitamin B12 levels. In the US, “normal vitamin B12 levels” may range from 200 and 900 picograms per milliliter. But many people who report symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency fall into that normal range, so clearly the standard for defining B12 deficiency needs to be updated.

Say, “I want my B12 test!”

If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, unfocused, or forgetful, then you should be tested for vitamin B12 deficiency, in addition to other potential illnesses that cause similar symptoms.

Even if you eat plenty of B12-rich foods like beef, chicken, and fish, you may still be at risk, as many factors may interfere with your ability to digest vitamin B12 from food.

One blood test is all that is required to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency, so ask for it immediately. Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms may escalate into severe neurological damage, osteoporosis, or heart attack.

Once diagnosed, you may be required to submit to vitamin B12 injections on a regular basis.

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